§8A-3-4. Mandatory components of a comprehensive plan.
(a) The comprehensive plan is a written statement on present
and future land use and development patterns consisting of
descriptive materials, including text, graphics and maps, covering
the objectives, principles and guidelines for the orderly and
balanced present and future economic, social, physical,
environmental and fiscal development of the area under the
jurisdiction of the planning commission.

(b) A comprehensive plan shall meet the following objectives:

(1) A statement of goals and objectives for a governing body,
concerning its present and future land development;

(2) A timeline on how to meet short and long-range goals and
objectives;

(3) An action plan setting forth implementation strategies;

(4) Recommend to the governing body a financial program for
goals and objectives that need public financing;

(5) A statement of recommendations concerning future land use
and development policies that are consistent with the goals and
objectives set forth in the comprehensive plan;

(6) A program to encourage regional planning, coordination and
cooperation with other governing bodies, units of government and
planning commissions; and

(7) Maps, plats, charts and/or descriptive material presenting
basic information on the land included in the comprehensive plan,
including present and future uses.

(c) The comprehensive plan shall have, but is not limited to,
the following components:

(1) Land use. -- Designate the current, and set goals and
programs for the proposed general distribution, location and
suitable uses of land, including, but not limited to:

(E) Constraints to development, including identifying
flood-prone and subsidence areas.

(2) Housing. -- Set goals, plans and programs to meet the
housing needs for current and anticipated future residents of the
jurisdiction, including, but not limited to:

(A) Analyzing projected housing needs and the different types
of housing needed, including affordable housing and universally
designed housing accessible to persons with disabilities;

(B) Identifying the number of projected necessary housing
units and sufficient land needed for all housing needs;

(C) Addressing substandard housing;

(D) Rehabilitating and improving existing housing; and

(E) Adaptive reuse of buildings into housing.

(3) Transportation. -- Consistent with the land use component, identify the type, location, programs, goals and plans to meet the
intermodal transportation needs of the jurisdiction, including, but
not limited to:

(A) Vehicular, transit, air, port, railroad, river and any
other mode of transportation system;

(B) Movement of traffic and parking;

(C) Pedestrian and bicycle systems; and

(D) Intermodal transportation.

(4) Infrastructure. -- Designate the current, and set goals,
plans and programs, for the proposed locations, capabilities and
capacities of all utilities, essential utilities and equipment,
infrastructure and facilities to meet the needs of current and
anticipated future residents of the jurisdiction.

(5) Public services. -- Set goals, plans and programs, to
ensure public safety, and meet the medical, cultural, historical,
community, social, educational and disaster needs of the current
and anticipated future residents of the jurisdiction.

(6) Rural. -- Consistent with the land use component, identify
land that is not intended for urban growth and set goals, plans and
programs for growth and/or decline management in the designated
rural area.

(7) Recreation. -- Consistent with the land use component,
identify land, and set goals, plans and programs for recreational
and tourism use in the area.

(8) Economic development. -- Establish goals, policies, objectives, provisions and guidelines for economic growth and
vitality for current and anticipated future residents of the
jurisdiction, including, but not limited to:

(A) Opportunities, strengths and weaknesses of the local
economy and workforce;

(B) Identifying and designating economic development sites
and/or sectors for the area; and

(C) Type of economic development sought, correlated to the
present and projected employment needs and utilization of residents
in the area.

(9) Community design. -- Consistent with the land use
component, set goals, plans and programs to promote a sense of
community, character and identity.

(10) Preferred development areas. -- Consistent with the land
use component, identify areas where incentives may be used to
encourage development, infill development or redevelopment in order
to promote well designed and coordinated communities and prevent
sprawl.

(11) Renewal and/or redevelopment. -- Consistent with the land
use component, identify slums and other blighted areas and set
goals, plans and programs for the elimination of such slums and
blighted areas and for community renewal, revitalization and/or
redevelopment.

(12) Financing. -- Recommend to the governing body short and
long-term financing plans to meet the goals, objectives and components of the comprehensive plan.

(13) Historic preservation. -- Identify historical, scenic,
archaeological, architectural or similar significant lands or
buildings, and specify preservation plans and programs so as not to
unnecessarily destroy the past development which may make a viable
and affordable contribution in the future.